Set Screw is Stripped: Options?

[EZ G]

I have a Prince 50 and am trying to remove it to change over to a bullet button.

I removed the first set screw (small one) no problem. The second one (longer, going through the whole assembly) has a stripped head. The allen key fits in it but will not grab/turn the set screw.

What are my options? This thing is so tiny that I doubt if I can somehow tap it and then use the tap to turn it. I am afraid my only option is to drill it or the mag button itself to expose the set screw and turn it with pliers.

Someone tell me there is an easier way.

[kdm]

EZ-out. A left-hand drill would work if the screw isn't bottomed out.

[EZ G]

EZ-out. A left-hand drill would work if the screw isn't bottomed out.

Even when the head of the set screw is stripped and nothing will grab? What kind of bit do you recommend?

[kdm]

Yep...with an EZ-out (Easy Out, maybe?) you drill a pilot hole, then use the EZ-out to remove the screw. Google EZ-out / Easy Out / broken screw extractor.

An EZ-Out is just a hardened tool with left-hand flutes. The flutes bite in to the walls of the pilot hole you drill to grip.

Also, a left-hand drill might have enough bite to spin it out as long as the screw isn't tightened excessively.

[EOD3]

An EZ-out is a hardened steel tool for removing broken bolts. You would normally start by drilling a hole in the bolt (you already have the hole) then "tap" the easy out into the hole and GENTLY unscrew the screw/bolt.

I would recommend you soak the set screw penetrating oil and let it set for a couple of hours before you start.

[EZ G]

Thanks. I will head on down to home depot. I knew the concept but only as applied to much bigger screws. I will just have to give it a try. I don't think the screw is bottomed so much as it has excessive loc tite.

Thanks for all the quick replies.

[EZ G]

Ha ha just got the joke. I am moving a little slow today : )

[EOD3]

Heat is your friend... Hair dryer, hot water, whatever, just don't get it too hot. Something around hot brass temperature.

[kdm]

Little tip for you, EZ G...ideally, the correct size EZ-Out is ~1/3 the diameter of the bolt to be removed. If you go too big the EZ-Out will "swell" the bolt, locking it securely into the hole. With your application, though, you're gonna have to stick with the smallest of the 6-piece set you likely buy. Just be careful...hardened steel = brittle.

[EZ G]

No luck. Looks like I need to buy a drill press and go very very slow. Damn.

[wash]

You could dremel the left hand side of the mag release.

That would probably be faster and I think the chance of success would be greater. You would have to buy another but it's a cheap part.

[domokun]

You could dremel the left hand side of the mag release.

That would probably be faster and I think the chance of success would be greater. You would have to buy another but it's a cheap part.

Dremels and guns don't mix well together most of the time....

[scr83jp]

You need to locate a really good gs with a machine shop and the knowledge to make repairs of this nature.We had one until his passing years ago,a customer came in with his win mod 12 with a botched screw repair,the idiot used epoxy but it didn't correct the problem,just made it worse.The gs cleaned up the mess,chased the threads then got bar stock and made the correct screw for the model 12,heat treated & tempered it then blued it.

[Some Guy]

Epoxy that allen wrench in there let it and set up nicely. (Clean it good first)

[mrlonewolf]

I do have the allen wrenches that you need....(you will never find them at HD,ACE,OSH, etc)
Do not Dremel your lower,price50, etc... I've the same issue before.
Plain and simple, PM with your info and I'll send you the wrenches, when you're done you can either return them or send them to someone else with the same problem.Everything on my dime.

Whatever it takes to help a fellow Calguner......